Astrology for the New Age. Marc Allen

numeral II — a symbol of the nature of duality, the mind’s ability to see and comprehend duality…

Cancer, the Crab, and the Cat … the symbol represents the claws of the Crab, or a symbol of a woman’s breasts, which it rules … A symbol of secret things, a symbol of the feminine nurturing principle.

Leo, the Lion … the symbol is supposed to be the head and mane of a lion, a symbol of dynamic, powerful energy…

Virgo, the Virgin … the symbol may represent matter coming back on itself, informing itself with energy — the M for matter, with the tail coming back upon itself — a symbol for accomplishment.

Libra, the Scales … the symbol is the Scales of Justice, a symbol of balance and harmony and awareness of all points of view.

Scorpio, the Scorpion, the Snake, and the Eagle … the symbol may represent matter soaring into the mystic — the M for matter, the tail bursting forth into creativity…

Sagittarius, the Archer … the symbol is the arrow, a symbol of physical travel, and intellectual and spiritual flight…

Capricorn, the Goat (or Sea-Goat) … the symbol is supposed to represent the head of a mountain goat, in some way — a symbol of leaping capability on the Earth…

Aquarius, the Water Bearer … the symbol represents the water of life, a symbol of spiritual nourishment from divine sources.

Pisces, the Fish … the symbol shows the heads of two fish, looking at each other — a symbol of flowing depths and oceanic consciousness…

       Every sign has its power

      Every sign has its own power, its own strength!

      Aries has the strength of a ram, power to move forward, power to create the new, the life-giving power of Mars, the procreator…

      Taurus has the strength of a bull, power to sustain life, the power of the earth. Buddha was a Taurus (often pictured touching the earth at his moment of Enlightenment).

      Gemini has the strength of twins! The power of the mind — the ability to use the mind to create, to analyze, to communicate. The power of Mercury, the Messenger of the gods.

      Cancer has the strength of a crab — tenacious, persistant, quick — and of a cat (another, higher symbol for Cancer) — aware, sensuous, magical, enlightened. The power of the Moon, the wellspring of intuition.

      Leo has the strength of a Lion! Powerful, commanding, beautiful. The power of the Sun, the source of our life energy.

      Virgo has the strength of a virgin — think of it! — the strength of a very young woman, with a vibrant, strong body, able to serve, able to heal, beautiful and promising. The power of Mercury, the Communicator of the gods (and, I feel, Virgo has the power of a distant and as yet undiscovered and unnamed planet which may become a symbol for enlightened service in the world).

      Libra has the strength of the scales of justice — able to balance, to see all sides, to weigh all points of view. The power of Venus, the loved one — beautiful, commanding, magnetic.

      Scorpio has the strength of a scorpion … and of a snake … and of an eagle. The scorpion: fierce, feared, stinging; the snake: healing energy flowing thru the body; the eagle: the far-seeing visionary, powerful, gifted. The power of Mars — strength and fire — connected with the power of Pluto — the ultimate, the beyond.

      Sagittarius has the strength of a centaur archer! Far-ranging, beautiful, outgoing, powerful. The power of Jupiter — eternal expansion and abundance.

      Capricorn has the strength of a mountain goat — the power to climb mountains! Sure-footed, strong, tenacious, confident. The power of Saturn, the planet of wisdom which grows with age. Many masters have been Capricorns — including Joan of Arc.

      Aquarius has the strength of an angel! Power to nourish, to uplift, to envision: to bring the Divine to Earth … The power of Uranus — the Awakener, which shows us that we are One with All.

Pisces has the strength of a Mystic … a fish* … the power of Pluto, the ultimate, the beyond, able to explore the depths of our minds, of our beings. I feel that Christ was a Pisces.

* Fish have always been symbols for the mystical qualities of the depths of the oceans. A fish was the early symbol of Christianity.

       Lest I Appear Too Positive….

      Sometimes people react to focusing on the strengths of each sign with a feeling that it is too positive, that we should include the weaknesses of each sign, too.

      My response to this is to agree that each sign has its own characteristic weaknesses, but to stress that we should in no way let these weaknesses hinder us from tuning into our strengths. Don‘t give your own or anybody else’s weaknesses too much power. Focus on your strengths and you are strong. Focus on your weaknesses and you are weak.

      Yet it can be valuable to look at characteristic qualities of each sign which can use some improvement. There is a time when we must honestly look at our shortcomings, and focus on them long enough to realize that they are there, clearly see that they are not serving us, and clearly choose to let them go.

      Aries energy can be insensitive, abrasive, egocentric, with a very short attention span. It needs the balance of Libra to make it aware of other people’s feelings.

      Taurus energy can be stubborn, resistant to change, and too preoccupied with the physical plane.

      Gemini energy can be frenetically speedy, scattered, attempting to do too much at one time … Gemini’s rational mind can forget the heart, the intuition, and get caught up in endless mental activity.

      Cancer energy can be withdrawn, forgetting others, engulfed in emotion without dealing with it skillfully, filled with excuses.

      Leo energy can be egocentric and shallow, always wanting to be the center of attention, unwilling to give others space and support.

      Virgo energy can be critical, picky, constantly focusing on what is wrong with everything, including themselves.

      Libra energy can be vain, self-centered, over-concerned with physical beauty, and constantly vascillating from one point of view or choice to the other. You’ll often hear a Libra say, “On the other hand …”

      Scorpio energy can be alternately stinging and withdrawn, hurting those they love, getting very intensely into emotional reactions.

      Sagittarius can be careless, overly intellectual and talkative, superficially over-positive, and into far too many projects simultaneously.

      Capricorn